Trip Overview
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a sacred pilgrimage and spiritual adventure that leads travelers to one of the holiest places on earth—Mount Kailash (6,638 m) and Lake Mansarovar, located in the remote reaches of western Tibet. Revered in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon, this journey is not just a trek, but a profound spiritual experience. Mount Kailash is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva and the axis mundi—the center of the universe in several ancient cosmologies.
The journey typically begins in Kathmandu, Nepal, with visits to important Hindu and Buddhist shrines before heading overland via Kerung or Simikot–Hilsa into Tibet. En route, pilgrims acclimatize at Saga, Paryang, and Lake Mansarovar (4,590 m)—a serene high-altitude freshwater lake ideal for rituals and reflection. The highlight of the trip is the 3-day Kailash Kora, a 52 km circumambulation of the sacred peak via Darchen, Dirapuk, and the formidable Dolma La Pass (5,630 m).
Accessible only a few months each year due to harsh weather and Tibetan travel restrictions, the Kailash Yatra demands both physical endurance and spiritual commitment, offering deep introspection and cultural richness along the way.
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Darshan of Mount Kailash, the spiritual epicenter for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon followers
Take a holy dip in Lake Mansarovar, believed to cleanse one’s sins and purify the soul
Complete the Kailash Kora (Parikrama)—a challenging but rewarding 3-day pilgrimage trek
Cross Dolma La Pass (5,630 m), the highest point of the circuit and a symbolic gateway of rebirth
Visit sacred sites like Yam Dwar, Gauri Kund, Rakshas Tal, and Tirthapuri
Experience remote Tibetan plateau culture and ancient Buddhist monasteries
Travel overland through dramatic Himalayan landscapes from Nepal into Tibet
Suitable for spiritual seekers, adventurers, and those interested in high-altitude pilgrimage journeys
Itinerary
Day 1Arrival in Kathmandu & Traditional welcome at Airport.
Welcome to the piece of heaven on the planet, Nepal. We’ll be there at the airport for your
arrival. After receiving you at the airport, we’ll drive you to the hotel in Kathmandu for a rest.
Later, we’ll meet again for a welcome dinner hosted by Latitude Nepal. We’ll discuss
ourselves and about the trek through the evening. Overnight in Kathmandu in Grand Hotel.
Day 2 Kathmandu Sightseeing & Documentation for Tibet Visa
We at Sabbatical Explore run Kathmandu Sightseeing for our guests before the start of
the trek. In the beginning of the Yatra we will start by getting blessings from baba
Pashupatinath. We will do the Panchamrit Pujan and then explore the cities of
Kathmandu. Kathmandu Sightseeing will start from Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Bouddhanath Stupa. With this, we’ll end back in
the hotel for the night. Our staff get ready with trekking documents.
Day 3 & 4Documentation for Tibet Visa
On this day we will let you free on your own for personal shoppings required for the yatra,
trekking gears, and warm clothes etc. It takes 3-4 working days for the Visa to arrive so
we will have to wait in Kathmandu for the visa to arrive.
Day 5Drive to Syabrubesi
After breakfast drive to Syabrubesi (1,550m, 140 km, 8hrs drive). After arrival at Syabrubesi check into the hotel.
Overnight stay at Syabrubesi.
Overnight stay at Syabrubesi.
Day 6Drive to Kerung
After breakfast drive to Nepal China Friendship Bridge (20 km, 30 min drive). Complete Immigration formalities in Nepal side & walk approx. 15mins to cross Friendship Bridge. Complete all China side immigration formalities & walk further ahead & get introduced with your Chinese guide/coach drivers. After introduction, proceed to Kyrung (2,700 M). Arrive in Kyrung Overnight stay at Kyrung
Day 7Drive to Saga
After breakfast drive to Saga (4,640 meter, 105km, 3/4hrs drive)/ New Dongpa (4,462 meter, 182km, 4/5hrs drive). There is nothing so special but you will enjoy the beautiful Tibetan landscape. After approx.3/4hours’drive you will reach to Saga (4,640 M). Arrive in Saga.
Overnight stay at Saga.
Overnight stay at Saga.
Day 8Drive to Mansarovar
After breakfast, drive to Mansarovar (4,556m, 400 kms, 7-8 hrs drive). Arrive Mansarovar,
take a holy bath; perform Puja, Hawan, and Devtarpan etc.(self). Freshly cooked dinner
will be served at the edge of Mansarovar Lake. Overnight stay at Manasarovar.
Day 9Drive to Darchen
We will drive to Darchen (4664 meter, 1 hr. drive). We will stop in Darchen after very short
drive to acclimatize our body before starting the trek of the Kailash Yatra. We spend the
night at Darchen Hotel, preparing our luggage for the Parikrama.
Day 10Drive to Yamdwar and trek to Dirapuk
After having breakfast we will continue our journey and take a short drive to Yamadwar. Yamadwar is the gateway to start the Parikrama, trekkers who are willing to do the Parikrama start trek from this point and those who are unwilling to do the Parikrama visit Yamadwar and head back to Darchen. , Trek to Dirapuk (4,765m, 10km, 5/6hrs trek). If you need you can hire a porter/pony in Yamdwar.
Day 11Trek to Zuthulpuk via Dolmala Pass
Continue Parikrama over Dolma La Pass (5,585m) to Zuthulpuk (4,700m, 22km, 7-8hrs
trek). It is the long and most difficult day of the trek because of the altitude gain and also due
to the rocky terrain.
Overnight stay at Zuthulpuk.
Overnight stay at Zuthulpuk.
Day 12Trek to Darchen & Drive to Saga
Last and final day Kailash Parikrama ends near Darchen (4,664m, 14km, 3- 4hrs trek) and
drive to Saga 8-9 hrs
Overnight stay at Saga.
Overnight stay at Saga.
Day 13Saga to Kerung
Drive to Kyrung (2,700m, 105km, 3/4hrs drive). and stay overnight Overnight
stay at Kerung
Day 14Drive to Syabrubesi
After breakfast leave the city of Kerung, & drive to Nepal/China border
(20km, 30mins drive). After the completion of the necessary border immigration formalities
we cross the friendship bridge and enter to Nepal, then we complete the Nepal Immigration
formalities. After completion of the immigration procedures of both the countries, we will
drive to Syabrubesi (20km, 30mins drive). Arrive Syabrubesi and check into hotel.
Overnight stay at Syabrubesi
Overnight stay at Syabrubesi
Day 15Drive to Kathmandu
Breakfast and drive to Kathmandu (140kms, 7/8hrs drive). Lunch will be arranged on
the way. Arrive Kathmandu and check into hotel. Evening certificate distribution
program will be organized which is followed by dinner.
Overnight stay at Kathmandu.
Overnight stay at Kathmandu.
Day 16Contingency day in Kathmandu
This day is placed at the end of the trip just to ensure you won’t miss the international
flight if there is some issue with the immigration procedure. You can relax and go to spa
take some massage to relieve your body and muscle pain (if any) from the trip
Day 17Departure from Kathmandu
On this day our airport representative will drive you to the Tribhuvan International Airport
with a hope to see you again in the future for other trip.
Route Map
